By Dalton Balthaser

 

PORTSMOUTH – Blake Morris had been feeling good about his game heading into the 2020 season.

 

He was playing as well as he had in a bit. With status on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada, Morris was ready to go.

 

And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

 

“I have been playing well recently,” said Morris. “It has been difficult the last year and a half for people trying to find their way in professional golf after COVID-19 started. I have been keeping my game sharp so that when playing opportunities arise, I am ready.”

 

But the pandemic hasn’t affected his attitude.

 

Morris used his tremendous ball-striking and steadfast approach to seize the Day One lead in the 89th Rhode Island Open Monday at Green Valley Country Club (par 71, 6,830 yards) after a bogey-free 66.

 

“Today was my first look at the course,” said Morris, 29, of Waterbury, Conn. “I wasn’t able to play a practice round but was able to get a feel for the layout of the course by looking at GPS of the course. I played relatively conservative off the tee. I used my 2-iron frequently. My game plan was to hit it in the fairway and go from there. I am quite proud to be able to play bogey-free.”

 

That ideology didn’t let him down. With firm playing conditions at Green Valley, Morris took advantage. He was able to get about 260 yards out of his 2-iron on each swing. Conservative yet aggressive.

 

He started his clean round with a birdie on No. 4 (par 5, 550 yards) after a tap-in birdie.

 

The 2015 University of Mississippi graduate found himself at 2 under as he made the turn. His second birdie of the round came on No. 9 (par 4, 433 yards) after hitting a 55-degree wedge from 108 yards to 10 feet.

 

A pitching wedge on No. 12 (par 3, 147 yards) to eight feet and a lob wedge from 95 yards to 12 feet on No. 15 (par 4, 340 yards) put him at 4 under. 

 

He striped a 5-iron from 240 yards on No. 17 (par 5, 548 yards) to eight feet. He lipped out the 8-footer for eagle, but another easy birdie was added to his card.

 

While last year was challenging for Morris, in the sense of trying to find places to play, he continues to push himself forward. Knowing that he has the backing of so many in a game that can often times feel so lonely.

 

“It is tough,” said Morris, who plays out of the Country Club of Waterbury. “You learn quickly in professional golf who your friends are. Professional golf can be a lonely road. But I have unbelievable support in Waterbury and those people who have supported me are a huge reason why I keep going. I want to make those people who supported me proud.”

 

Morris will be the guy to beat come Tuesday’s final round. He has a total of seven players within three shots of his lead. The task won’t be easy, but he’s ready for it.

 

“I try to play every round like it is a Monday qualifier,” said Morris who Monday qualified into the PGA TOUR’s RSM Classic in 2019. “I go out there with the attitude of creating birdie opportunities and converting them. Tomorrow is a new day. I don’t care if I am two shots back our four shots ahead, I am going to have the same attitude.”